Most Indian cities have become unliveable thanks to catastrophically high levels of air pollution across the country. While the toll this takes on public health is broadly understood, research has hitherto been lacking on the link between air pollution and shorter lifespans. A new study by researchers at the University of Texas has given a […]
fitness
Not only does stunting impair growth, it impairs earnings too
Stunting during childhood reduces earnings later in life, in bad news for the millions of Indian children who suffer from the condition. Stunting refers to when a child is not tall enough for their age. The condition is generally caused by malnutrition or repeated infections. Prevalence of the condition in India is high, affecting 38.4 […]
Mind your salt intake, it’s bad for blood pressure
Salt intake is too high in India, the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) has warned. Is this leading to a crisis of high blood pressure? A PHFI study has found consumption of the foodstuff in three Indian states exceeds the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which says you should eat less than […]
World Breastfeeding Week Special: Hospitals go ‘baby-friendly’ for newborns health
As part of our series highlighting the many issues that deter India from being a breastfeeding nation, today we bring a story of hope. Sixteen hospitals are working to usher in a change. Plans are being rolled out to turn the facilities in question ‘baby-friendly’ in a bid to improve the nutritional health of newborns. […]
What’s to blame for poor muscle health in India?
One might think that muscle health is only a concern for those who lift weights at the gym. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Good muscle health is an important part of one’s overall well-being. Through muscle-strengthening exercises, one can improve their blood sugar control, metabolism, and broader physical and mental health. As one […]
Yoga isn’t timeless: It’s changing to meet contemporary needs
This article has been republished here under a Creative Commons license from The Conversation. Full credit goes to the original author and publisher. The original article can be accessed here. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Jeremy David Engels, Pennsylvania State University On June 21, on International Yoga Day, people will take out their yoga mats and practice sun salutations […]
Too much faith placed in AYUSH?
An editorial piece published in BusinessWorld.IN at the beginning of April claimed ayurvedic treatments “can cure any disease.” It further alleged that western medicine is ineffective. Both the Indian media and government are placing an ever growing emphasis on the importance of alternative medicine, particularly Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy (AYUSH) therapies. Support […]
An environmental health crisis: One in ten asthma patients gasp for breath in India
India holds between fifteen and twenty million asthma sufferers. Recent evidence suggests one in ten asthma patients reside in India. This can be seen as indicative of a wider crisis surrounding environmental health in India. Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children worldwide. The cost of managing the condition is thought to exceed tuberculosis […]
Western diets and Indian genetics, a ticking time bomb of diabetes
India is facing a diabetes crisis. Western dietary habits, particularly the increased consumption of junk food, are becoming increasingly common in the country. This, combined the genetic predisposition for diabetes, is laying the groundwork for a public health crisis which will see an estimated 134.3 million people suffering with diabetes in India by 2045. India’s […]
No topical steroid creams without prescription, says Centre
Topical steroid creams can no longer be sold over the counter in India. This is per a notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), banning the sale of fourteen topical steroid creams and ointments without prescription. The ban comes after dermatologists raised concerns that overuse of such creams is leading to […]